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Support Statement of Concern about the actions of the global alcohol producers

13/02/2013

Support Statement of Concern about the actions of the global alcohol producers

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) is appealing to the international public health community to support an open letter to the WHO outlining concerns about the actions of the global alcohol producers.

An independent coalition of public health professionals, health scientists and NGO representatives has written a ‘Statement of Concern’ to be sent to the WHO Director General in response to the recent initiatives of the global alcohol producers.

The letter expresses several reservations about the commitment of the alcohol industry to reducing the harmful use of alcohol worldwide, summarised in 4 points:

The commitments are based on questionable assumptions, as stated in the signatories’ Preamble.

The actions proposed in the five commitments are weak, rarely evidence-based and are unlikely to reduce harmful alcohol use.

Prior initiatives advanced by the alcohol industry as contributions to the WHO Global Strategy have major limitations from a public health perspective.

The signatories are misrepresenting their roles with respect to the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy.

GAPA is now asking qualified professionals throughout the world to review the attached Statement of Concern, and indicate their endorsement by sending an email to the office of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) at gapa@ias.org.uk giving the following details:

Full name, Professional title, Institution affiliation, Country

In providing these details you will be agreeing to have your name listed (but not your email address) on both the public letter to WHO and the GAPA website that will post the letter.

Please note endorsement will be on an individual basis and will not imply endorsement by your organization.

GIVEN THE URGENCY OF THIS INITIATIVE, WE REQUEST THAT YOU PROVIDE YOUR ENDORSEMENT BY FEBRUARY 28, 2013.